Constitutional provisions grant Egypt's military special privileges. Entrenching its power is prioritized. According to Human Rights Watch Egypt director Heba Morayef:

"This is not a moment where there is any likelihood of limiting the military's privileges."

"They see the civilian justice system as an infringement. And one of the privileges the military has clung to very consistently is the broad discretion to punish and try people as they choose. They really care about maintaining that."

Military judges have full discretion. They can impose harsh sentences. They can't be appealed. Detainees are denied legal counsel.

In 2011, Mona Seif co-founded No Military Trials. She's sorely disappointed. "We wanted the committee to support a complete ban on the use of military trials for civilians, even in cases where one of the parties is a military officer," she said.

SCAF decided otherwise. It has final say. It demands unchallenged military authority.

"The army knows that having this in the constitution makes their use of military trials much more legitimate," said Seif. "Now we know they will never give it up. It's their most powerful tool."

They can target anyone for any reason, true or false. They can imprison anyone challenging coup d'etat rule. Police states operate this way. Egypt is one of the region's worst.

Hundreds already were secretly tried. Hundreds more await their turn. Thousands of political prisoners languish in Egypt's gulag. Torture and abuse is commonplace.

In late October, a military tribunal sentenced el-Watan journalist Hatem Aboul-Nour to a year in prison on trumped up charges. He was lawlessly detained for two months prior to his trial.

According to HRW's Morayef, troops are deployed nationwide. "They're in the streets. They are the law enforcement."

"So if a military officers (claims) you insulted him you can be brought to a military tribunal."

"If you are arrested by a military officer," you can be tried, convicted, sentenced and imprisoned. Guilt by accusation suffices.

According to human rights activists, this stuff persists secretly. People are disappeared. Legal rights don't exist. Junta power rules.

"This will have very serious consequences for all civilians, and not just political activists," said Karim Medhat Ennarah. He's an Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights security sector researcher.

"We're talking about people - ordinary people - who get caught up at a military checkpoint and are never heard from again," he added.

Note: In late November, Mona Seif was arrested. She and dozens of others were targeted for protesting against constitutionally authorizing military tribunals for civilians. Their fate so far is unknown. SCAF justice denies it.

Other constitutional provisions institutionalize junta power. Appointed or elected civilian officials have only rubber stamp authority.

Secularists only may participate in future elections. Religious parties and candidates are prohibited.

In September, a court issued injunction banned the Muslim Brotherhood. Doing so denies it legal status.

Its assets were confiscated. Its members are targeted for arrest. Hundreds are imprisoned. Most MB officials were seized. Others went underground.

Morsi's being tried on trumped up charges. Potentially he faces the death penalty if convicted of inciting murder. Proceedings were adjourned until January 8.

SCAF ruthlessly usurped full control. Diktat power rules. On Sunday, appointed president Adly Mansour signed a new anti-protest law.

It's draconian. It bans overnight sit-ins. It prohibits public and private gatherings without official authorization.

A maximum of 10 people are allowed. Not larger numbers. Police have final say on all demonstrations. Anti-regime ones are strictly forbidden.